I E AV O N

/ L A U R

/ M A R Y E VA N S

I M A G E S

G E T T Y

50 Why the Sun King saw himself as the new Alexander the Great

57 From killer frogs to subversive snowmen, we serve up an alternative history of Christmas

66 Leading historians and authors nominate their favourite history books from VJG RCUV |OQPVJU

EVERY MONTH

This month in history

7 History news 1 0 Behind the news:

wintertime general elections 1 3 Michael Wood on slaver y 14 Anniversaries 1 7 David Olusoga’s

Hidden Histories

18 Letters

48 Q&A Your history questions

answered Books

66 Books of the Year: chosen by

leading authors and historians

Encounters

7 6 Diary: What to see and do this

month, including TV & radio, food, exhibitions and events. Plus, we review new drama The King

8 6 Explore: Knole country house

92 Christmas Quiz

94 Prize crossword

98 My history hero Simon Reeve chooses OskarSchindler

65 History Event Medieval Life and Death

38 Subscribe Save when [QW UWDUETKDG today

Save when [QW UWDUETKDG today

43 How a band of English exiles made their mark on the capital of the Byzantine empire

7525 +FGPVK ECVKQP 5VCVGOGPV BBC HISTORY (ISSN 1469-8552) (USPS 024-177) Christmas 2019 is published 13 times a year under licence from BBC Studios by Immediate Media Co Bristol Ltd, Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol BS1 4ST, UK. Distributed in the US by Circulation Specialists, Inc., 2 Corporate Drive, Suite 945, Shelton CT 06484-6238. Periodicals postage paid CV 5JGNVQP %6 CPF CFFKVKQPCN OCKNKPI Q EGU 2156/#56'4 5GPF CFFTGUU EJCPIGU VQ $$% *+5614; /#)#<+0' 21|$QZ $QQPG +#

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